STEP OUT OF THE TRAFFIC!

Posted on October 7, 2016 by randscallawayffm

Psalms of Honesty and Truth

Can we just pause, step out of the traffic of all we are doing and just be still before God? Can we take a break in the busyness of what we think this day will bring and just think of the majesty, the creativity, the power and glory of God, our Father, the Creator of heaven and earth? Can we ask Him what He wants for this day…and then wait and listen for His answer? Can we spend time all day long meditating on Him, what He has done, is doing and will do for you? For me? For us?

Above all the noises and voices, be quiet. Just breathe. Listen to His heart. Don’t say anything. Leave the TV off while getting ready for your day. Find the Center of our universe and cling to Him, fall to your knees if you have to and just listen. Turn off the radio in the car on the way to work. But just listen.

The news filled with what ifs and half truths sprinkled with sensationalism will be told without us today so we can take a long look at our loving God. Today we listen only to the One who loved us first, loves us still and wants the best for us. Wow. Just think about that. Take all the time you need. For all we really need is Him.

Yes, I love Psalm 46. It brings me back to what where I should be every day…centering my thoughts on my Savior, praying with passion and then simply listening for His Holy response. I’m taking a long loving look at our Father. Above all. Listen. BE then do.

Psalm 46, The Message

1-3 God is a safe place to hide,
ready to help when we need him.
We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,
courageous in seastorm and earthquake,
Before the rush and roar of oceans,
the tremors that shift mountains.
Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

4-6 River fountains splash joy, cooling God’s city,
this sacred haunt of the Most High.
God lives here, the streets are safe,
God at your service from crack of dawn.
Godless nations rant and rave, kings and kingdoms threaten,
but Earth does anything he says.

7 Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

8-10 Attention, all! See the marvels of God!
He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,
Bans war from pole to pole,
breaks all the weapons across his knee.

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
loving look at me, your High God,
above politics, above everything.”
11 Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

psalm-46-be-still

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for fighting for us on every level. We love you with all that is in us. We love taking time to just hear You. Help us to be still. Help us to listen. Here I am, Lord. I’m listening. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Posted in Christian Living, Christian Perspective, Encouragement, Faith, heaven, Holy Spirit, Hope, insight, Jesus, joy, Leadership, Listen, ministry, Prayer, Psalms, Romans, Salvation, Teaching, Thanksgiving, Training, Transformation, trust in God, Truth, Uncategorized, Unconditional love, waiting on God, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

LOVE SONG

Posted on October 6, 2016 by randscallawayffm

Psalms of Honesty and Truth We take a break in our songs of human emotion, raw faith exposed, battles won and defeat dealt with to sing a love song to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus Chr…

Source: LOVE SONG

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

LOVE SONG

Posted on October 6, 2016 by randscallawayffm

Psalms of Honesty and Truth

We take a break in our songs of human emotion, raw faith exposed, battles won and defeat dealt with to sing a love song to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus Christ, the One and Only for us will come and claim his bride, His church of believers, as His own in the biggest wedding celebration of them all. He will come in all His glory with power and strength beyond anything we have ever seen or heard.

Warren Weirsby states: “A song of loves” identifies this as a marriage song, and Shoshannim (lilies) identifies the tune to which it was to be sung. The wedding was obviously that of a king and note the mention of throne, scepter, and majesty. Of all David’s sons, only Solomon was anointed king. Solomon was noted for his wealth in gold, and he had a close association with the great city of Tyre. But it’s clear that one “greater than Solomon” (Matt. 12:42) is present in this beautiful psalm, and that one is Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.

Are we in love with our Bridegroom? Can we sing a love song to Him this morning? What words would we say? Will our song be joyful and praiseworthy for Him? What is our “lifesong” of love to our Savior, Lord and King? These are my thoughts as I praise Him and think of Him as my King of kings today…

Psalm 45, New Living Translation

For the choir director: A love song to be sung to the tune “Lilies.” A psalm[a] of the descendants of Korah.

1 Beautiful words stir my heart.
I will recite a lovely poem about the king,
for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet.
2 You are the most handsome of all.
Gracious words stream from your lips.
God himself has blessed you forever.

3 Put on your sword, O mighty warrior!
You are so glorious, so majestic!
4 In your majesty, ride out to victory,
defending truth, humility, and justice.
Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds!
5 Your arrows are sharp, piercing your enemies’ hearts.
The nations fall beneath your feet.

6 Your throne, O God,[b] endures forever and ever.
You rule with a scepter of justice.
7 You love justice and hate evil.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you,
pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.
8 Myrrh, aloes, and cassia perfume your robes.
In ivory palaces the music of strings entertains you.

9 Kings’ daughters are among your noble women.
At your right side stands the queen,
wearing jewelry of finest gold from Ophir!
10 Listen to me, O royal daughter; take to heart what I say.
Forget your people and your family far away.
11 For your royal husband delights in your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord.
12 The princess of Tyre[c] will shower you with gifts.
The wealthy will beg your favor.

13 The bride, a princess, looks glorious
in her golden gown.
14 In her beautiful robes, she is led to the king,
accompanied by her bridesmaids.

15 What a joyful and enthusiastic procession
as they enter the king’s palace!
16 Your sons will become kings like their father.
You will make them rulers over many lands.
17 I will bring honor to your name in every generation.
Therefore, the nations will praise you forever and ever.

Pause to celebrate our love for God and His love for us…
Can we only imagine what it will be like when our King, Jesus Christ, comes to claim His own?
Have you stopped to consider how loved by God we are to be a part of His royal priesthood, heirs with Christ, part of His family…seriously? Whew.

psalm-45-lifesong-end-of-day

Dear Heavenly Father, You loved us before we loved You. You loved us so much you provided a way to come into Your Holy Presence. Thank you, just thank you. I am overwhelmed at this thought…let me drink it in and be nourished by it all day long.
In Jesus Name, Amen. I believe!

And I’m singing…
Empty hands held high
Such small sacrifice
Now joined with my life
I sing in vain tonight
May the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to you

Let my lifesong sing to you
Let my lifesong sing to you
I want to sign your name
To the end of this day
Lord led my heart was true
Let my lifesong sing to you

(Casting Crowns)

Posted in Christian Living, Christian Perspective, Encouragement, Faith, heaven, Holy Spirit, Hope, insight, Jesus, joy, Leadership, Listen, marriage, ministry, Prayer, Psalms, Salvation, Teaching, Thanksgiving, Training, Transformation, trust in God, Truth, Uncategorized, Unconditional love, waiting on God, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

LET’S BE HONEST…

Posted on October 5, 2016 by randscallawayffm

Psalms of Honesty and Truth

It is easy to praise God when things are going well, when all the pieces fall into place, after a huge problems dissolve into resolutions, when troubling relationship are restored, when anxiousness and fear melt into peace.

But, let be honest…when it all falls apart, when the enemy seems to have the upper hand in every thing we attempt, when relationships are edgy, and life is hard and overwhelming…what do we say first or do first? Praise might not be the first thought. Like the psalmist, after a humiliating defeat along the way to victory, we might also cry out, “God, where are You? Why have you forsaken us?”

As I recall, even Jesus, who was God in a suffering human body cried out, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” on His way to OUR victory from death to life through his work on that cross! It’s apparent that we can be honest before God. Cry out. Or just cry it out if you have to…I have. But then listen and wait. Don’t leave God. God certainly hasn’t’ left us.

Psalm 44, New Living Translation
For the choir director: A psalm[a] of the descendants of Korah.

1 O God, we have heard it with our own ears—
our ancestors have told us
of all you did in their day,
in days long ago:
2 You drove out the pagan nations by your power
and gave all the land to our ancestors.
You crushed their enemies
and set our ancestors free.
3 They did not conquer the land with their swords;
it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory.
It was your right hand and strong arm
and the blinding light from your face that helped them,
for you loved them.

4 You are my King and my God.
You command victories for Israel.[b]
5 Only by your power can we push back our enemies;
only in your name can we trample our foes.
6 I do not trust in my bow;
I do not count on my sword to save me.
7 You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies;
you disgrace those who hate us.
8 O God, we give glory to you all day long
and constantly praise your name. Interlude

9 But now you have tossed us aside in dishonor.
You no longer lead our armies to battle.
10 You make us retreat from our enemies
and allow those who hate us to plunder our land.
11 You have butchered us like sheep
and scattered us among the nations.
12 You sold your precious people for a pittance,
making nothing on the sale.
13 You let our neighbors mock us.
We are an object of scorn and derision to those around us.
14 You have made us the butt of their jokes;
they shake their heads at us in scorn.
15 We can’t escape the constant humiliation;
shame is written across our faces.
16 All we hear are the taunts of our mockers.
All we see are our vengeful enemies.

17 All this has happened though we have not forgotten you.
We have not violated your covenant.
18 Our hearts have not deserted you.
We have not strayed from your path.
19 Yet you have crushed us in the jackal’s desert home.
You have covered us with darkness and death.
20 If we had forgotten the name of our God
or spread our hands in prayer to foreign gods,
21 God would surely have known it,
for he knows the secrets of every heart.

22 But for your sake we are killed every day;
we are being slaughtered like sheep.
23 Wake up, O Lord! Why do you sleep?
Get up! Do not reject us forever.
24 Why do you look the other way?
Why do you ignore our suffering and oppression?
25 We collapse in the dust,
lying face down in the dirt.
26 Rise up! Help us!
Ransom us because of your unfailing love.

psalm-44-6-8

This psalm begins with praise for God for what He has done in the past, asking why, then resolving to have faith in knowing He will save us. It’s interesting how the “song” moves quickly from boasting about God, feeling forsaken by Him, to questioning faith and back to trusting God. God knows our hearts. Let’s be honest in our prayers.

Dear Heavenly Father, No, things are going as well as what WE think they should but You see the bigger picture so we trust in You to always be there, listening to our praises and our honest cries for help. We trust in You to always love us and want the best for us, even if that is teaching us through harder times as well as the good times. Thank you, Lord for Your continued Holy Presence in our lives. I’m here. I’m listening for You…
In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Christian Living, Christian Perspective, Encouragement, Faith, heaven, Hebrews, Holy Spirit, Hope, insight, Jesus, joy, Leadership, Listen, marriage, ministry, Prayer, Psalms, Romans, Salvation, Teaching, Thanksgiving, Training, Transformation, trust in God, Truth, Uncategorized, Unconditional love, waiting on God, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

HE PUTS A SMILE ON MY FACE!

Posted on October 4, 2016 by randscallawayffm

Psalms of Honesty and Truth

The next psalm is a continuation of yesterday’s lament and lesson. YES, there are lessons in laments. We find out who we are in the lament and learn who God is and remember what He has done, is doing and will do as a lesson. The psalmist is crying out, why, why, why, O Lord…then remembers to fix his eyes back on God. Nothing is too hard for God. Finances, medical bills, unexpected repairs, tedious relationships, challenging jobs, sickness, tiredness, impending danger as we see it…all of it brings us to a boiling point.

Then we realize, God is there. He knows the situation. He listens to our honest laments. He knows our boiling point is just a lot of steam! Even now, this makes me smile. There is no problem too big or too small that God won’t see us through and help us to solve. AND there is nothing our loving God would not do for us…if we ask with a sincere heart to listen for His best answer.

Perspective. Let’s put it all under God’s care and see things from His point of view. Let us all find our way to the “sacred mountain”, the place of His Presence, where we realize God was there all the time. Smiling.

Psalm 43, The Message

1-2 Clear my name, God; stick up for me
against these loveless, immoral people.
Get me out of here, away
from these lying degenerates.
I counted on you, God.
Why did you walk out on me?
Why am I pacing the floor, wringing my hands
over these outrageous people?

3-4 Give me your lantern and compass,
give me a map,
So I can find my way to the sacred mountain,
to the place of your presence,
To enter the place of worship,
meet my exuberant God,
Sing my thanks with a harp,
magnificent God, my God.

5 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
soon I’ll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
He’s my God.

psalm-43-hope

In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Christian Living, Christian Perspective, Encouragement, Faith, heaven, Hebrews, Holy Spirit, Hope, insight, Jesus, joy, Leadership, Listen, marriage, ministry, Prayer, Psalms, Romans, Salvation, Teaching, Thanksgiving, Training, Transformation, Truth, Uncategorized, Unconditional love, waiting on God, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

REMEMBERING GOD…NOT THE GOOD OLD DAYS!

Posted on October 3, 2016 by randscallawayffm

Psalms of Honesty and Truth

We have our ups and downs. We have emotional set backs with intermittent waves of mourning the losses in our lives. We fall down, but God takes our hands and lifts us up, closer to where He is, where He has been along…right beside us. We realize who He is once more and we turn our worry to worship right in the middle of the fog that seems to envelope us.

How do we go from pouting to praises? I fought sleep just last night wondering how in the world all that was in disarray all around me was going to be resolved. In the quiet of the room, it seemed my mind shouted out all the details of my life needing immediate attention. I recalled lists of projects attached with more to do lists that were looming in the horizon. How will I pay for this and that? How will we physically accomplish it, Lord? The small details of this life can become our enemies, robbing our joy and stealing our much needed rest.

Then I remembered a very important promise with true reality. God has always helped us before, is helping us now and will always guide us through the storm. I fell into peaceful sleep. Ten seconds later the alarm sounded. As a new day dawns, I see things from a different perspective. Nothing has been resolved, but I see things differently because I chose to stop the replay of the details and sang songs of praise in the night. I prayed for others who are in their own storms. I rejoiced once more knowing that God was hearing me and being patient with me. I remembered God…not the good old days.

The Psalmist longs for God as a deer comes to the stream for life sustaining water. He remembers that God brought him through other hard times in his life. He knows that his sorrowful tears will turn to tears of joy in worshiping the God Who has been there for him in the past. He longs to worship God again in Jerusalem. But as he remembers Who God is right now the Psalmist remembers and worships God, not the place. Right where he is, he stops, looks up with focus on God and remembers, He is Savior and God.

Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!

Remember God and what He did…not the place. Worship God…not the place where you found God.

Psalm 42, New Living Translation

As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
2 I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I go and stand before him?

3 Day and night I have only tears for food,
while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,
“Where is this God of yours?”

4 My heart is breaking
as I remember how it used to be:
I walked among the crowds of worshipers,
leading a great procession to the house of God,
singing for joy and giving thanks
amid the sound of a great celebration!
5 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and 6 my God!
Now I am deeply discouraged,
but I will remember you—
even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan,
from the land of Mount Mizar.

7 I hear the tumult of the raging seas
as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.
8 But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life.

9 “O God my rock,” I cry,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I wander around in grief,
oppressed by my enemies?”

10 Their taunts break my bones.
They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?”

11 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!

psalm-42-11

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you.
In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Christian Living, Christian Perspective, Encouragement, Faith, heaven, Holy Spirit, Hope, insight, Jesus, joy, Leadership, Listen, marriage, ministry, Prayer, Psalms, Romans, Salvation, Teaching, Thanksgiving, Training, Transformation, Truth, Uncategorized, Unconditional love, waiting on God, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

INSIDE AND OUT

Posted on October 2, 2016 by randscallawayffm

Psalms of Honesty and Truth

God knows me inside and out. He made me for He is my Creator. He knew me before I was placed in the womb of my mother. (Ps 139). He watched over me as a grew from infant to child, from child to adult. He also knows all the people around me inside and out. The sun does not revolve around me. I revolve around the Son, the center of my universe.

David is speaking truth about his condition. He knows God will listen to his honesty. There were those who were against him, gossiped about him and generally fought hard to bring him down. David had personal sin to repent and enemies to fight, taking a toll on his health and well being.

We relate to David’s words. We have all had people in our lives for whatever reason, probably for personal temporary power, told untruths about us. It hurts. It stings like a wasp. Those who pretended to be friends to your face but spoke ill of you behind your back hurts deeply. Family members who look for ways to tear you down and tell others of your weaknesses physically hurts us from the inside out. David deals with it by going to God for help. “Meanwhile, I’m sure you’re on my side”, he declares (Msg version).

“You know me inside and out, you hold me together, you never fail to stand me tall in your presence so I can look you in the eye.” says David. I shout a loud AMEN to that assurance!

However, David also knows that because God indeed knows us inside and out, we must daily examine our own hearts. What is the measure of our integrity…as God evaluates us? Do we fight back, gossip about the gossipers, to get even? Do we lunge a sword of bitterness toward our enemies? Are we as merciful to others as God is to us?

Psalm 41, The Message

A David Psalm

41 1-3 Dignify those who are down on their luck;
you’ll feel good—that’s what God does.
God looks after us all,
makes us robust with life—
Lucky to be in the land,
we’re free from enemy worries.
Whenever we’re sick and in bed,
God becomes our nurse,
nurses us back to health.

4-7 I said, “God, be gracious!
Put me together again—
my sins have torn me to pieces.”
My enemies are wishing the worst for me;
they make bets on what day I will die.
If someone comes to see me,
he mouths empty platitudes,
All the while gathering gossip about me
to entertain the street-corner crowd.
These “friends” who hate me
whisper slanders all over town.
They form committees
to plan misery for me.

8-9 The rumor goes out, “He’s got some dirty,
deadly disease. The doctors
have given up on him.”
Even my best friend, the one I always told everything
—he ate meals at my house all the time!—
has bitten my hand.
10 God, give grace, get me up on my feet.
I’ll show them a thing or two.

11-12 Meanwhile, I’m sure you’re on my side—
no victory shouts yet from the enemy camp!
You know me inside and out, you hold me together,
you never fail to stand me tall in your presence
so I can look you in the eye.

13 Blessed is God, Israel’s God,
always, always, always.
Yes. Yes. Yes.

psalm-41-13

When we find ourselves in difficulty, we may use this psalm to take an inventory of our spiritual condition by asking and answering four questions. (We are getting help to understand from excerpts of commentary by Warren Wiersbe.)

1. Integrity: How Do We Treat Others (vv. 1-4)? Do we bring dignity to those who are poor? Before we can claim God’s promises, we must examine our own hearts to see if we have sincerely met the conditions the Lord has laid down.

2. Treachery: How Do Others Treat Us (vv. 5-9)? Real or imagined? David’s enemies were real. Are those who temporarily say untruths about you worth your time? Can you stay the course and let God deal with them? Can we stay clean by not slinging mud back? By the way, Jesus quoted this Psalm when Judas betrayed Him!

3. Mercy: How Does God Treat Us (vv. 10-12)? God in His mercy doesn’t give us what we do deserve, and God in His grace gives us what we don’t deserve, and He does this because of Jesus Christ His Son, who died for us on the cross.

David prayed for mercy, because he knew he had sinned (v. 4). He also affirmed his integrity (v. 12), for he had walked before the Lord in humility and submission (7:8; 18:19-25; 25:21; 78:72). When confronted with his sins, he confessed them and sought the face of the Lord (2 Sam. 12:13ff.).

More than anything else, David wanted to please God (v. 11; 18:19; 22:8; 35:27; 2 Sam. 15:26). He had confidence that the Lord would heal him, restore him to the throne, and deal with those who opposed him. Even more, he was certain that one day he would be in the presence of the Lord and serve in His holy courts in heaven forever (v. 12; 16:11; 17:15; 21:6; 101:7; 2 Sam. 7:16).

4. Glory: How Do We Treat God (v. 13)? The verse reminds us that the main thing in our lives must be the eternal praise and glory of the Lord. “Hallowed be thy name” is the first request in the Disciples’ Prayer (Matt. 6:9), and it governs all the other requests. God answers prayer, not to make His people more comfortable, but to bring glory to His name! Do we have the perspective? Do we read His Word with the desire to know God more? It’s not about us…it’s about God who save us!

Pause to ponder…
Can we honestly, in this very moment, look up and say AMEN! YES! to this prayer, this Psalm of praise, giving all glory to God for where we are on our journey?

Posted in Christian Living, Christian Perspective, Encouragement, Faith, heaven, Hebrews, Holy Spirit, Hope, hospitality, insight, Jesus, joy, Leadership, Listen, marriage, ministry, Prayer, Psalms, Romans, Salvation, Teaching, Thanksgiving, Training, Transformation, Truth, Uncategorized, Unconditional love, waiting on God, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SO I ANSWERED…I’M COMING TO THE PARTY!

Posted on October 1, 2016 by randscallawayffm

Psalms of Honesty and Truth

A David Psalm

1-3 I waited and waited and waited for God.
At last he looked; finally he listened.
He lifted me out of the ditch,
pulled me from deep mud.
He stood me up on a solid rock
to make sure I wouldn’t slip.
He taught me how to sing the latest God-song,
a praise-song to our God.
More and more people are seeing this:
they enter the mystery,
abandoning themselves to God.

4-5 Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God,
turn your backs on the world’s “sure thing,”
ignore what the world worships;
The world’s a huge stockpile
of God-wonders and God-thoughts.
Nothing and no one
comes close to you!
I start talking about you, telling what I know,
and quickly run out of words.
Neither numbers nor words
account for you.

6 Doing something for you, bringing something to you—
that’s not what you’re after.
Being religious, acting pious—
that’s not what you’re asking for.
You’ve opened my ears
so I can listen.
7-8 So I answered, “I’m coming.
I read in your letter what you wrote about me,
And I’m coming to the party
you’re throwing for me.”
That’s when God’s Word entered my life,
became part of my very being.

9-10 I’ve preached you to the whole congregation,
I’ve kept back nothing, God—you know that.
I didn’t keep the news of your ways
a secret, didn’t keep it to myself.
I told it all, how dependable you are, how thorough.
I didn’t hold back pieces of love and truth
For myself alone. I told it all,
let the congregation know the whole story.

11-12 Now God, don’t hold out on me,
don’t hold back your passion.
Your love and truth
are all that keeps me together.
When troubles ganged up on me,
a mob of sins past counting,
I was so swamped by guilt
I couldn’t see my way clear.
More guilt in my heart than hair on my head,
so heavy the guilt that my heart gave out.

13-15 Soften up, God, and intervene;
hurry and get me some help,
So those who are trying to kidnap my soul
will be embarrassed and lose face,
So anyone who gets a kick out of making me miserable
will be heckled and disgraced,
So those who pray for my ruin
will be booed and jeered without mercy.

16-17 But all who are hunting for you—
oh, let them sing and be happy.
Let those who know what you’re all about
tell the world you’re great and not quitting.
And me? I’m a mess. I’m nothing and have nothing:
make something of me.
You can do it; you’ve got what it takes—
but God, don’t put it off.

psalm-40-lifted

David could have written this while in exile or later in life. It seems to me that the words are a lamentation of a life with God, trusting God through all circumstances and realizing that God and God alone is the most important, the most cherished relationship we could possible have in our lifetimes. No other relationship compares to the relationship we have with God! All other relationships begin with God first…then with others.

David laments over waiting for God. I lament over how long God had to wait for me to finally be filled with His Truth and behave accordingly! I lament over wasting time thinking about how others perceive of me. I lament over time wasted worrying about money. I lament over times of people pleasing when all that time could have been spent pleasing God alone. David says, “Blessed are you who turn yourselves over to Yahweh, turning your backs on the world’s “sure thing”. IGNORE what the world worships!”

Yes, I lament over wasted hours, days and weeks that led to years of worrying and despair without realizing God, our Maker who knows and loves me, was working 24/7 in me and through me. Like David, God drove me, a seeker of God’s best, to His Word. Now, it is a part of my being. I’m still a mess at times, but I know Who to quickly run to for forgiveness and restoration. When chaos ensues and tries to distract me, I’m quicker to turn my focus back to the One and Only who overwhelms me with His peace and protection right in the middle of the storm. The older you get the LESS time you want to waste!

Yes, Lord, I’m listening. Yes, Lord, I’m coming to the party you have planned for all who believe, belong and behave as You intended from the beginning of time.

I love you with all my heart, mind and soul. I’m redeemed and I now realize the deeper meaning of being redeemed and I cannot be silent. I will hold nothing back. I know You are not finished with us yet. I don’t know what is next here, that’s in Your hands, and I’m expectantly waiting for what I know is beyond this world…a place you have prepared for me there with You. Make something of me, while there is still time left, but be gentle.

Thank you, dear Lord for your loving patience and graciousness to us. In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Christian Living, Christian Perspective, Encouragement, Faith, heaven, Hebrews, Holy Spirit, Hope, insight, Jesus, joy, Leadership, Listen, Macedonian Call, marriage, ministry, Prayer, Psalms, Romans, Salvation, Teaching, Thanksgiving, Training, Transformation, Truth, Uncategorized, Unconditional love, waiting on God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BROKEN HEARTS FIND HOPE, THE ONLY HOPE

Posted on September 30, 2016 by randscallawayffm

Psalms of Honesty and Truth When we are broken, with spirits crushed, that’s when God seems to finally have our undivided attention. This psalm is a lament of a broken heart who repents and a…

Source: BROKEN HEARTS FIND HOPE, THE ONLY HOPE

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

BROKEN HEARTS FIND HOPE, THE ONLY HOPE

Posted on September 30, 2016 by randscallawayffm

Psalms of Honesty and Truth

When we are broken, with spirits crushed, that’s when God seems to finally have our undivided attention. This psalm is a lament of a broken heart who repents and admits that God is our only hope. We can learn a lot from this repentant heart. The first lesson is to be quiet. Listen. Realize to Whom you are talking…God eternal. He is God and we are not. We are but a mere breath in the scheme of creation, but we are His child. He is our hope.

We begin with David the sinner and listen to his prayer for forgiveness. Like every truly convicted sinner, his mouth had been stopped, and he admitted his guilt before God. We don’t know the particular sins and we don’t have to know. We do know that God listens to the cry of the brokenhearted and forgives when we confess. David was especially concerned that he not give occasion to “the foolish” to ridicule his faith,

David the sufferer pleaded with God to remove the stroke and heal his body. He used three images to get his point across: a plague or sickness, draining away his life; the blow of God’s hand, like a loving parent disciplining a child; the rebuke of His Word, which cut deeply into David’s heart. C. S. Lewis was correct when he wrote in The Problem of Pain, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to arouse a deaf world.”

The human body ages, decays, and dies; and the material wealth we gather gradually loses its value, like a moth silently destroying a garment. Jim Elliot’s often quoted statement certainly applies here: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Vanity of vanity, all is vanity–unless we put our faith and hope in God.

Psalm 39, New Living Translation

I said to myself, “I will watch what I do
and not sin in what I say.
I will hold my tongue
when the ungodly are around me.”
2 But as I stood there in silence—
not even speaking of good things—
the turmoil within me grew worse.

3 The more I thought about it,
the hotter I got,
igniting a fire of words:
4 “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude
6 We are merely moving shadows,
and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth,
not knowing who will spend it.

7 And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.

8 Rescue me from my rebellion.
Do not let fools mock me.
9 I am silent before you; I won’t say a word,
for my punishment is from you.
10 But please stop striking me!
I am exhausted by the blows from your hand.
11 When you discipline us for our sins,
you consume like a moth what is precious to us.
Each of us is but a breath. Interlude

12 Hear my prayer, O Lord!
Listen to my cries for help!
Don’t ignore my tears.
For I am your guest—
a traveler passing through,
as my ancestors were before me.
13 Leave me alone so I can smile again
before I am gone and exist no more.

psalm-39-waiting

What do we learn?
–Stop thinking of what to say and just be quiet…and listen for understanding from God.

Allow God to speak to you even now, in the quiet of this hour.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Christian Living, Christian Perspective, Faith, heaven, Holy Spirit, Hope, insight, Jesus, joy, Leadership, Listen, marriage, ministry, Prayer, Psalms, Romans, Salvation, Teaching, Thanksgiving, Training, Transformation, Truth, Uncategorized, Unconditional love, waiting on God, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment